GOSHEN – In a unanimous vote, the Orange County Legislature Thursday joined other counties in voting to ban fracking brine from county roads.

Lawmakers are concerned about the potential danger of the chemicals used in the fracking process to extract natural gas from shale formations.

Resolution author Jeffrey Berkman said this could the first step in other legislation by the county.

“Rather than write a comprehensive ban on all fracking wastewater, I thought it would be wiser for this legislature to get control of our own roads first”, Berkman said. Maybe we will get control of our sewer treatment plant next and then we will work with the local governments.”

Prior to the vote by the legislature, several citizens spoke in support of banning the use of fracking brine.

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